I’m a small man … a small, petty man.

Certainly I’m a cynical one. Recently a regular acquaintance – I reserve the term ‘friend’ for someone I choose to maintain regular contact with: call me pedantic if you will – moved into my suburb, and left a message for me. When I called him back, I said, ‘If you wanted to get together and do some Greek study’ (he’s learning New Testament Greek at my theological alma mater, whereas I’ve been there, done that and bought the beer stein) ‘just name a time.’

He replied, ‘No, I was calling to see if you wanted to hang out.’

I guess I’m used to being considered merely a fount of arcane knowledge; I never considered the possibility that people might want to spend time with me for the sake of the friendship itself.